Bayfield County public meetings in 2023
18 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Comprehensive Planning Committee
The Comprehensive Planning Committee is holding a public hearing to discuss revisions to the Bayfield County Comprehensive Plan. The proposed updates cover topics including land use, housing, transportation, and economic development. Written comments are being accepted until 4:00 PM on November 14, 2023.
- Public hearing for Bayfield Comprehensive Plan Update
- Proposed revisions to land use, housing, and transportation policies
Comprehensive Planning Committee
The Comprehensive Plan Committee is reviewing comments from public listening sessions and working to finalize the Bayfield County Comprehensive Plan 2023-2043. The committee will consider a resolution to recommend the plan's adoption to the County Board. A public hearing regarding the plan is scheduled for November 14, 2023.
- Discussion regarding comments received via open houses and listening sessions
- Discussion regarding Comprehensive Plan finalization
- Resolution recommending adoption of the Bayfield County Comprehensive Plan 2023-2043
- Public hearing scheduled for November 14, 2023, at 6:00 PM
Northern Lights Special Study Committee
The Special Study Committee is reviewing the long-term success strategies and management model for the Northern Lights facility. Discussions include potential assessments by Health Dimensions Group and the roles of Bayfield County versus Northern Lights Health Services.
- Discussion of a $40,000 facility assessment via Health Dimensions Group
- Review of a draft budget showing an estimated $331,000 loss
- Proposed waiver of $240,000 in annual lease payments for 2024
- Proposed allocation of up to $100,000 in additional funds as needed
- Proposed $300,000 for deferred maintenance at the facility
Comprehensive Planning Committee
The committee is reviewing the draft plan's narrative and mapping for finalization. Members are also planning public open houses to discuss the proposed plan with residents.
- Draft plan finalization regarding narrative and mapping
- Public Open House: September 13, 5:00-7:00 PM at County Board Room
- Public Open House: September 20, 5:00-7:00 PM at Iron River Community Center
- Public Open House: September 27, 5:00-7:00 PM at Cable Community Center
- Discussion of public participation, plan distribution, hearing, and adoption
Northern Lights Special Study Committee
The Special Study Committee is reviewing the long-term viability of the Northern Lights facility. The committee is finalizing a report for the Bayfield County Board regarding projected budget shortfalls and potential management changes.
- Projected $1,000,000 annual operational budget shortfall for 2024
- Projected $400,000 annual capital improvement budget shortfall for 2024
- Estimated $1,000,000 cost for roof replacement
- Proposed $1.6 million five-year capital improvement plan
- Discussion of a potential county-operated nursing home model
Northern Lights Special Study Committee
The Northern Lights Special Study Committee is reviewing strategies for the long-term success of the Northern Lights facility. Discussions include financial stability, capital improvement needs, and potential partnerships between the facility and Bayfield County.
- Review of 1-2 year capital improvements totaling $375,000, including $168,000 for windows
- Review of 5-year capital improvements totaling $330,000, including basement repairs
- Discussion of a $19,000 Medicaid reimbursement overpayment
- Proposal to finalize the Special Study Committee report
- Review of suggestions from the Collaboration Committee
Northern Lights Special Study Committee
The Northern Lights/Bayfield County Special Study Committee is discussing long-term success strategies, including financial stability goals and capital improvement needs. The committee is also reviewing market assessments for assisted living and potential collaboration options between the county and the facility.
- Short-term capital improvement estimate of $358,000
- Long-term capital improvement estimate of $330,000
- Goal of maintaining $500,000 in cash for financial stability
- Market assessment identifying need for 18-25 independent living units
- Review of $447,000 IRS employee retention credit funds
Artesian Well Committee
The Artesian Well Committee will discuss a draft inventory report from the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey. The meeting includes discussions on educational outreach, potential regulatory options for wellhead protection, and monitoring procedures.
- Discussion of Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey inventory report
- Development of an artesian well best practices educational manual
- Review of regulatory factors for wellhead protection including flow rates and location
- Discussion regarding artesian well monitoring and annual reporting
Comprehensive Planning Committee
The Comprehensive Plan Committee is reviewing various action plan elements including housing, transportation, and land use. Members are also discussing the finalization of the draft plan and planning for upcoming public hearings and adoption.
- Review of Action Plan updates for Housing, Transportation, Utilities, and Economic Development
- Discussion regarding the finalization of the Draft Comprehensive Plan
- Planning for public participation, hearing dates, and formats
- Review of the June 21, 2023, meeting minutes
Northern Lights Special Study Committee
The Special Study Committee is reviewing long-term success strategies for the Northern Lights facility. Discussions include market assessments, the non-profit model, and potential collaboration between the facility and Bayfield County.
- Tour of the Northern Lights Facility
- Guest speaker presentation regarding assisted living staffing and organizational structures
- Discussion of the 2023 financial update
- Review of the Northern Lights market assessment
- Discussion of County collaboration options
Comprehensive Planning Committee
The Comprehensive Plan Committee is reviewing various action plan elements, including housing, transportation, and economic development. The committee is also discussing updates to existing and future land use maps and planning for upcoming public participation and hearings.
- Review of Action Plan elements: Housing, Transportation, Utilities, Agriculture, Economic Development, and Land Use
- Discussion of existing land use map amendments and corrections
- Review of proposed committee timeline through the end of 2023
- Planning for public participation, hearings, and adoption formats
- Discussion regarding the extension of the future land use mapping exercise
Artesian Well Committee
The committee is reviewing an inventory of 50 surveyed artesian wells to determine future actions. Discussion topics include potential education resources, incentive programs, and new zoning or general ordinances.
- Review of 50 surveyed wells (35 private, 15 public) with an average flow of 6.9 gallons per minute
- Discussion of potential incentive or cost-share applications for installing valves and screens
- Proposed focus on zoning ordinances for areas with high concentrations of flowing wells
- Review of education resources and fact sheets for residents
Northern Lights Special Study Committee
The Northern Lights / Bayfield County Special Study Committee is assessing the financial and structural viability of the Northern Lights facility. Discussions include reviewing 2022 draft financials, capital improvement plans, and potential organizational changes to prepare for 2024 budget considerations.
- Review of 2022 draft financial compilation and updated cash flow budget
- Discussion of capital plan including window replacements ($163,000-$320,000) and basement repairs (~$180,000)
- Review of Northern Lights market study
- Discussion of organizational structures including government, non-profit, and for-profit models
- Guest presentations regarding nursing home staffing and organizational challenges
Comprehensive Planning Committee
The Bayfield County Comprehensive Plan Committee is reviewing updates to existing and future land use maps. Members are also discussing the format, timing, and presenters for upcoming public hearings and participation opportunities regarding the plan.
- Discussion of existing land use map amendments from the Towns of Bayfield and Clover
- Review of future land use mapping exercise deadlines
- Discussion regarding public participation, hearing dates, and formats
- Review of workgroup action plans for agriculture, transportation, and utilities
- Proposed inclusion of senior and childcare facilities as critical infrastructure
Comprehensive Planning Committee
The Comprehensive Plan Committee is reviewing draft action plans from several workgroups. Discussions include land use mapping updates and proposed goals for transportation, utilities, and intergovernmental cooperation.
- Review of existing land use map amendments and corrections
- Discussion of workgroup action plans for Transportation
- Discussion of workgroup action plans for Intergovernmental Cooperation
- Discussion of workgroup action plans for Utilities & Community Facilities
- Discussion of workgroup action plans for Agricultural, Natural, & Cultural Resources
Comprehensive Planning Committee
The Comprehensive Plan Committee is reviewing progress from four workgroups: Intergovernmental, Land Use, Housing, and Hazard Mitigation. The committee is also discussing updates to the Existing Land Use Map and future land use mapping exercises for local towns.
- Review of Intergovernmental, Land Use, Housing, and Hazard Mitigation workgroup action plans
- Update on Existing Land Use Map amendments and corrections
- Discussion regarding Future Land Use Map mailings and town follow-ups
- Approval of the preferred future land use mapping exercise plan
Comprehensive Planning Committee
The Comprehensive Plan Committee is reviewing draft workgroup visioning documents and land use mapping strategies. Members are discussing how to incorporate town-level mapping into the countywide plan and reviewing existing land use data.
- Discussion of draft Workgroup Visioning Document updates
- Review of existing land use map feedback
- Discussion regarding future land use mapping and classifications
- Review of the Comprehensive Planning calendar and potential extensions
- Review of information sent to municipalities and the Tribe
Comprehensive Planning Committee
The Comprehensive Plan Committee is reviewing workgroup recommendations for the draft plan's vision, goals, and objectives. Members are also discussing how to coordinate future land use classifications between the County and its 25 towns.
- Review of workgroup visioning recommendations for housing and transportation
- Discussion of three methods for future land use classification coordination
- Review of November 16, 2022, meeting minutes